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Defence Minister warns journalists

    NAIROBI

    Defence Minister Colonel Alfred Nkurunziza has criticised some news organisations for "spreading rumours" and warned that journalists working in Bujumbura Rural should be considered as "enemies". In an address to army commanders in the province on Thursday, broadcast by state radio, Nkurunziza took issue with Radio France Internationale (RFI) which he said
    had broadcast a false report claiming the main Bujumbura-Bugarama road had been closed for security reasons. "They [RFI] are openly supporting the rebels," he told the commanders. "When you see journalists here you consider them as enemies, as rebels." Violence has intensified in Bujumbura Rural as the army battles to put down rebel attacks.

    The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday said it was
    "appalled" to learn that the Burundian army had been "ordered to treat journalists as legitimate military targets". In a letter to President Pierre Buyoya, it said the present threat appeared to target journalists who were critical of the government and called for the comments to be withdrawn.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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